By Tafanana Kwedu

Government says public private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to win the fight against COVID-19 pandemic which has negatively affected livelihoods across the globe.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Prof Paul Mavima applauded the Victoria Falls COVID-19 Taskforce (VFCT) for initiating feeding and food for work programmes to cushion the community against COVID-19.

 “You have shown the rest of the country the power of collaborative effort in the fight against the challenges brought about by the global pandemic

“We really appreciate the work that is being done by the Victoria Falls community,” Mavima said adding that, “the Victoria Falls model must be followed across the country”

Mavima was speaking at the handover ceremony of 30 tonnes of mealie meal donated by government to the VFCT to support the on-going feeding program.

He also toured quarantine and feeding centres in Mkhosana and Chinotimba suburbs to appreciate what’s on the ground.

Speaking at the same occasion, VFCT representative, Cozmore Fungulani, said many families in the resort town were in need of food assistance.

“On behalf of the Victoria Falls Covid-19 Taskforce, l would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the support you continue to give us and for the donation that you have just extended to the community of Victoria Falls.”

The VFCT has been running a feeding program for 36 days feeding 5 000 children daily.

Apart from the feeding program and food for work program, VFCT also donated various critical equipment to local health facilities, the police and others.

The VFCT is made up tourism players, health experts, churches, community leaders, individuals and others.

Victoria Falls is one of the hardest hit areas by the COVID-19 pandemic since tourism is the major economic activity in the resort town and surrounding rural communities in Hwange District especially Hwange West Constituency.